Brian Babin (R-TX)
To provide a prohibition on certain reductions to MQ-9 aircraft units, and for other purposes.
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill stops the Secretary of the Air Force from cutting, retiring, or reducing MQ-9 aircraft units and their personnel until September 30, 2032. It protects the number of aircraft assigned to the Air National Guard and the Air Force. The bill allows exceptions if an individual aircraft is unsafe or uneconomical to repair. It also allows exceptions if a unit goes through a mission conversion approved by the applicable governor and Congress is notified. Additionally, the bill requires a report on the plan to recapitalize the MQ-9 aircraft fleet within 180 days.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Protects military readiness, unit capabilities, and personnel levels associated with the MQ-9 fleet.
- Scored +5
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The legislation supports military readiness and protects Air National Guard infrastructure and personnel capabilities.
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates a detailed report and recapitalization plan submitted to congressional defense committees within 180 days.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 1(a) prevents the reduction of MQ-9 aircraft units, capability statements, and personnel numbers, which may help keep people employed and maintain current defense capabilities.
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Section 1(c) allows the Secretary of the Air Force to assign a new primary mission to an MQ-9 unit with the approval of the applicable governor, which could bring new missions and updates to local units.
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Section 2(a) requires a report on the recapitalization plan for the MQ-9 fleet to be submitted to congressional defense committees, which holds officials accountable for planning the future of the fleet.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 1(b) allows the Secretary of the Air Force to retire individual MQ-9 aircraft if they are determined to be unsafe, uneconomical to repair, or no longer mission capable, which could reduce operational assets available to units.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a detailed report and recapitalization plan submitted to congressional defense committees within 180 days. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill requires the Air Force to obtain approval from applicable state governors before executing mission conversions on Air National Guard units.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Protects military readiness, unit capabilities, and personnel levels associated with the MQ-9 fleet.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The legislation supports military readiness and protects Air National Guard infrastructure and personnel capabilities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill protects existing Air Force and Air National Guard personnel and unit positions from being reduced through 2032.
- 6/3/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Chrissy HoulahanDemocrat · Pennsylvania